Champions League rivals Arsenal and Lyon share long and tangled history | OneFootball

Arsenal are back in the UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-final for the second time in three seasons and will face French champions Lyon, rekindling one of the most storied rivalries in the history of the competition.

The two sides first met in the 2007/08 UEFA Women’s Cup, the forerunner to today’s tournament. Arsenal, reigning champions at the time, secured a 0-0 draw at the old Stade Gerland, facing a Lyon side captained by none other than current Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor.

Vic Akers made just one change from the team that had won the sextuple the previous season, with Faye White replacing Ciara Grant alongside Anita Asante in central defence. The campaign ended in disappointment for Arsenal, following the highs of 2006/07.

The away leg was memorable for other reasons. Lyon manager Farid Benstiti travelled to Meadow Park midweek to scout Arsenal in a match against Watford. “Watford are really bad,” he said after watching an easy first half for Arsenal, before the match was abandoned due to a break-in that saw valuables stolen from the dressing room.

In the return leg, Lyon won 3-2 in miserable conditions. The visitors were forced to start their third-choice goalkeeper, Emeline Mainguy, with both Bente Nordby and Veronique Pons injured. Concerned by Arsenal’s aerial threat, Lyon staff discussed their tactical approach at half-time – over cigarettes – next to the men’s toilets.

Arsenal goals came from Rachel Yankey and Kelly Smith, while Elodie Thomis scored the decisive goal on the break. Lyon staff reportedly referred to Meadow Park as a “potato field”. The match coincided with England men’s infamous defeat to Croatia at Wembley – “the wally with the brolly” night.

In 2008/09, the teams met again in a round-robin group played in Limonest, on the outskirts of Lyon. Arsenal defeated Neulengbach 6-0 and Zürich 7-2 before losing 3-0 to Lyon at Stade Gerland.

The family of Arsenal players were seated among home supporters in the main stand – a decision not appreciated by all, including Katie Chapman’s husband Mark, who was sat beside me with their children.

Their next meeting came in the semi-finals of 2010/11, a year that marked Lyon’s first Champions League title. A crowd of 20,123 witnessed a 2-0 win at Stade Gerland, with Lotte Schelin scoring twice by exploiting the right channel behind Arsenal’s defence. Arsenal’s travelling contingent were this time placed in the VIP section, complete with champagne and amuse-bouche, and were even caught on Eurosport’s broadcast.

Between the two legs, the FA WSL was launched with an ill-timed inaugural fixture between Chelsea and Arsenal at Imperial Fields, played on a poor-quality surface. Kim Little sustained an injury that ruled her out of the second leg, which Lyon won 3-2 at Meadow Park.

Only 500 attended.

After a prolonged absence from the latter stages of Europe’s top competition, Arsenal faced Lyon again in the 2022/23 group stage. Despite Lyon being top seeds, Arsenal topped the group with 13 points. Their 5-1 win at the Groupama Stadium was a landmark result; Lyon responded with a 1-0 win at the Emirates Stadium.

The overall record between the two clubs now stands at: Played 7, Won 1, Drawn 1, Lost 5, Goals For 9, Goals Against 13.

This year’s semi-final promises a more balanced contest. Lyon are no longer the dominant force they once were. Under new manager Joe Montemurro, formerly of Arsenal, the club is attempting to return to the free-flowing, attacking football that once defined them.

Since the departure of Reynald Pedros, Lyon have remained successful but adopted a more physical, defensive style that has alienated some supporters.

With two attacking sides, and ties to be played at the Groupama Stadium and the Emirates Stadium, this semi-final promises to deliver both quality and narrative.